The Best Hip Hop Indie Music of 2020
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The freshest and dopest hip hop and indie music of 2020. You’ll find new music from your favorite artists, as well as some up-and-coming talent.
Best Hip Hop Indie Music of 2020
In a genre often dominated by the mainstream, it can be easy to forget about the thriving underground music scene. But there are plenty of independent hip-hop artists out there making great music. From up-and-coming talents to established names, these are some of the best hip-hop and indie music of 2020.
January saw the release of Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s highly anticipated album “Bandana.” The collaboration between the two artists is a masterclass in underground hip-hop, with Gibbs’ rhymes complementing Madlib’s soulful production perfectly. Another top album from January was “Ringer” by New York rapper Your Old Droog. The album is a throwback to ’90s East Coast hip-hop, with Droog’s flowing lyrical style reminiscent of early Nas.
February’s best hip-hop album came from Chicago rapper Saba, with his excellent third album “Care for Me.” The 10-track record is an emotionally charged journey through Saba’s life, with his characteristically intricate rhyme patterns and clever wordplay on full display. Another standout release from February was Earl Sweatshirt’s “Some Rap Songs.” The highly experimental album sees Earl exploring new sonic territory, while still maintaining the wit and lyrical prowess that fans have come to love.
March saw the release of veteran rapper J Cole’s much-anticipated fifth album “KOD.” The 12-track record is one of Cole’s most personal and introspective works to date, with themes of addiction and mental health running throughout. Also in March was the excellent debut album by Florida rapper Denzel Curry, “TA13OO.” The three-part album is a blend of old-school boom bap beats and contemporary trap stylings, with Curry’s Florence + The Machine – Samples, Covers and Remixes (https://www.whosampled.com/Florence-+The-Machine/) aggressive flow tying it all together perfectly.
April was headlined by the release of Kendrick Lamar’s much-anticipated fourth studio album ” DAMN .” The 14-track record sees Lamar at the top of his game, with his unique delivery and complex rhyme schemes on full display. Also in April was R&B singer SZA ‘s long-awaited debut album “Ctrl.” The 14 – track record is a tour de force from SZA , with her powerful vocal performance complemented perfectly by her smart and introspective lyrics .
May brought us two excellent albums: Tyler , The Creator ‘s ” Flower Boy ,” and GoldLink ‘ s ” At What Cost .” Tyler’ s fourth studio album is perhaps his most personal yet , with themes of love and acceptance running throughout . GoldLink ‘ s second studio album is a genre – bending masterpiece , blending elements of hip – hop , R&B , house , and more into one cohesive work .
What is Hip Hop Indie Music?
Hip hop indie music is a genre that emerged in the early 2000s, combining elements of hip hop, indie rock, and electronic music. It is typically characterized by its syncopated rhythms, its use of samples, and its focus on melody.
There are a number of different subgenres of hip hop indie music, including wonky hip hop, juke-influenced hip hop, and IDM-influenced hip hop. Wonky hip hop is a subgenre that is characterized by its glitchy, distorted soundscapes; juke-influenced hip hop is a subgenre that draws on the African-American dance music known as juke; and IDM-influenced hip hop is a subgenre that draws on the sounds and aesthetics of British electronic music from the 1990s.
Despite its relatively recent origin, hip hop indie music has already produced a number of classic albums, including El-P’s Fantastic Damage (2002), Danger Mouse’s The Grey Album (2004), and Madvillain’s Madvillainy (2004).
The History of Hip Hop Indie Music
The history of hip hop indie music can be traced back to the early 1990s, when a handful of artists began to experiment with blending elements of rap and indie rock. The most notable of these artists was Beck, who blended Bowie-esque art rock with rap on his 1993 album Odelay. Other early examples include the Beastie Boys’ experimental album Paul’s Boutique, which featured samples from a wide variety of genres, and Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet, which incorporated elements of industrial and punk rock.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new wave of hip hop indie artists emerged, led by groups like Dilated Peoples and Jurassic 5. These artists continued to experiment with genre-blending, but also began to focus more on socially conscious lyrics and conscious reach. The 2000s also saw the rise of alternative hip hop, a subgenre that combined elements of hip hop with other genres like electronica and rock. Alternative hip hop artists like Kid Cudi and Chance the Rapper have become some of the most popular musicians in the world.
The Different Types of Hip Hop Indie Music
Hip hop indie music is a genre of music that combines elements of hip hop and indie music. This type of music has become increasingly popular in recent years, with artists such as Chance the Rapper, Anderson .Paak, and Noname becoming some of the most popular musicians in the world.
There are many different subgenres of hip hop indie music, each with their own unique sound and style. Here are some of the most popular subgenres of hip hop indie music:
Chance the Rapper-style Hip Hop Indie Music:
Chance the Rapper is one of the most popular hip hop indie musicians in the world. His music is characterized by its positive and uplifting lyrics, as well as its jazz and soul influences. Chance the Rapper’s music often features guest appearances from other artists, including fellow Chicago natives like Kanye West and Busta Rhymes.
Anderson .Paak-style Hip Hop Indie Music:
Anderson .Paak is another popular hip hop indie musician. His music is characterized by its funk and R&B influences, as well as its laid-back and relaxed vibes. Anderson .Paak’s music often features guest appearances from other artists, including Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Kendrick Lamar.
Noname-style Hip Hop Indie Music:
Noname is a rapper from Chicago who gained popularity for her guest appearance on Chance the Rapper’s 2016 mixtape Coloring Book. Noname’s music is characterized by its confessional lyrics and jazz influences.
The Benefits of Hip Hop Indie Music
There are many benefits to listening to hip hop indie music. For one, it can help you relax and destress. Research has shown that music can have a positive effect on our mood and emotions, so if you’re feeling stressed out, listening to some calm, chilled-out hip hop might be just what you need.
Hip hop indie music can also be great for concentration and focus. If you’re struggling to get started on a task or project, popping on some headphones and listening to your favorite tracks can help you get into the zone and get things done. The right music can help to block out distractions and allow you to focus on the task at hand.
Finally, hip hop indie music is also great for exercise. If you’re finding it hard to motivate yourself to hit the gym or go for a run, putting on an upbeat playlist of your favorite tunes can help to get you moving. Music can boost our energy levels and make us feel more positive, so it’s the perfect accompaniment to any workout.
The Best Hip Hop Indie Music of 2020
The best hip hop indie music of 2020 has been marked by a return to the Golden Era sound of the 1990s. Rappers like Freddie Gibbs and Run the Jewels have released albums that harken back to that decade, while newer artists like Roddy Ricch and Megan Thee Stallion have put their own spin on the genre.
Other standouts include Dreamville’s compilation album Revenge of the Dreamers III, which featured a who’s who of contemporary hip hop, and Daytona, Pusha T’s long-awaited follow-up to his classic album My Name is My Name.
Here are our picks for the best hip hop indie music of 2020:
Roddy Ricch – “Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial”
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – “Bandana”
Run the Jewels – “RTJ4”
Megan Thee Stallion – “Good News”
Pusha T – “Daytona”
Dreamville – “Revenge of the Dreamers III”
